Joliet Central High School - Steelmen Yearbook (Joliet, IL)

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AK f My VW f Wizfwfv - ,A 4 . f r,Wy,,W A new commercial department, added in Sep- tember, 'l9Ol, was an instant success with over 60 students the first semester. Subjects such as penmanship, commercial spelling, business letters, and commercial arithmetic occupied the attention of enrolling freshmen. The first domestic science instructor was hired in l9'l'l and quarters were arranged in the El- wood house for these classes. A revision of the homemalcing curriculum was carried out last year and extensive modernization of the food 'aboratories is now under way. instruction in manual training also was intro- duced in 1911, however, the first shops were authorized in l922. Training at present is given in auto, drafting, machine, printing, and wood shop and in vocational agriculture. Two hun- dredninety-one boys are enrolled in vocational shop, 53, in agriculture. Provisions for a physical director were made in 'l9ll, all first year students taking some work in gym. Next year the Board appointed a lady assistant in thegymnasiumf' Today all SfUCleD'fS must take gym five days a week. Instruction in music developed first under part- time instruction, the band being the first to be authorized f'l9l3D. Later full-time instructors were provided for both instrumental and vocal music.

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901 When Grandmother was a freshman, life was real, life was earnest, and although her goal, graduation --- necessitated credits in the same subiects --- history, English, math, science --- that we must earn today, there was a difference --- quite a difference. HISTORY Greek and Roman history was required of all freshmen. Sophomores could choose either European history or a science. The history of our own country was then an elective. ENGLISH In two years the student was supposed to have learned all there was to know ofgrammar,com- position and rhetoric. Work in oral English was not included, nor was American literature, now a requirement. MATHEMATICS Algebra for all freshmen, plane geometry for all sophomores show a marked curriculum variation. SCIENCE First high school in the nation to teach physi- ography Know earth sciencei, the subiect was included in either the first or the second year. Physics was a must for all third year students. LATIN Playing a stellar role in the old curriculum, four years of Latin were given to all students in the Latin and in the Latin-Scientific course, five and six were required in the Five and Six Year courses. Spanish, French, and German were also offered.

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-ss 946 A program of health instruction whose aim was to make health and safety in- struction really workable was set up in 'l946. ln 1948 this was changed from one period aweek to a required semester subiect. ' wmsfrjf fz n-Mmm 4 , f K I9I Arising out ofthe preparedness program ot World War l, the R. O. T. C. unit has developed into an essential part of the school. A chance to learn and earn on the job is given to the Future Distributors of America. This program has won the hearty endorsement of Joliet merchants. IO 3 ill e m a E 3 Ill H casa ' l . 5 if The health department, established in g 1 l925, was reorganized into a new mod ern health center in l947. . f+...... 'QW I94 Recognizing a long-felt need, classes in driver's training were added to the curriculum. ...M WW I948 Students with speech defects receive individual and group help in order to correct their difficulties.